What to do if your Social Security card is stolen or lost can be incredibly stressful as an identity thief with this information can cause a lot of damage. Your Social Security number (SSN) can also be compromised though you still have possession of your card (e.g. through a data breach).
File a police report. This way you have a documented record in case the thief decides to use your social security number to commit identity theft. Once you have filed a police report, follow the steps below for a lost or compromised Social Security card or number.
If your card is lost or stolen, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to obtain a replacement. Go to the SSA’s website to create a MySocialSecurity account. Check your Social Security Statement annually for fraudulent employment. You can also call the Social Security Administration at 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778).
Contact the three Credit Reporting Agencies to place both a fraud alert and a credit freeze and obtain a copy of your credit report. Check your credit report for fraudulent accounts annually at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action.
File taxes early every year to help prevent tax fraud.
Although the Social Security Administration does not routinely assign new numbers, one instance in which they may do so is when a victim of identity theft provides strong evidence that he or she continues to be disadvantaged by the misuse of his or her social security number.
It is worth noting if you obtain a new Social Security Number (SSN):
- A new SSN is still just as vulnerable as the original unless the right security measures are put in place
- Your original SSN will remain assigned to you
- Records under your old number will still exist
Since credit reporting companies use your SSN to identify your credit record, using a new number may make it more difficult for an individual to get credit if there is no affiliated credit history; it is the individual’s responsibility to update their creditors with their new Social Security Number in order to maintain their credit history.
If you have additional questions or concerns about what to do if your Social Security card is stolen you can receive no-cost assistance from the expert advisors at ITRC. Call us toll-free at 888.400.5530 or LiveChat with an expert today.
